What do your eyes say about your health?

The eyes are the popularly referred to as the ‘windows to the soul’, but did you know that they can also act as ‘windows to your health’. There are plenty of health conditions which can be discovered by looking at a person’s eyes.

Protruding eyes (‘Bug eyes’)

There are people who walk around with eyes that seem to be protruding from their faces.

A more subtle form are people who walk around with eyes that appear to be permanently startled. Although it can be genetic, it can also be a feature of an overactive thyroid gland.

Other features of an overactive thyroid are shaky hands, excessive sweating and high blood pressure.

Yellow eyes

This is known as jaundice. It can occur in new born babies or in older children and adults. In new born babies, it can be due to the inability of the liver to function at full capacity or it can be due to more serious issues like infection or mother-baby blood group mismatch.

In adults it can be due to infection (hepatitis), liver damage or gall bladder issues. Liver damage is most commonly due to alcoholism and drugs (both illicit and prescribed medication).

Pale eyelids

If you pull down the lower eyelid and look at the pink section of the eye, you can get an idea on the blood levels (haemoglobin or ‘Hb’) your body. If the area appears very pale (very light pink), you could be having anaemia. Other features of anaemia include dizzy spells, awareness of one’s heartbeat and fatigue.

Cataracts

If you notice that your vision is getting worse with time and you find that there is a cloudy film in your pupil , you are likely to be suffering from cataracts. Although one can be born with cataracts (congenital), they are common amongst diabetics and those using certain drugs (steroids).

Yellowish spots on eyelids

If you notice light brown or yellowish spots on your eyelids, it could be a sign of high cholesterol levels. Too much bad cholesterol can damage your blood vessels and put you at risk of heart attacks and stroke.

Red itchy eyes

These are a common feature of allergy. There may be an associated persistent runny nose, itchy throat and even cough. Some people also get dark circles round the eye. Usually getting rid of the irritant improves the symptoms. If not, you may need to get some medication (antihistamines).

Sticky eyelids

Usually this comes hand in hand with red eyes which are usually not itchy. The sticky lids are most prominent in the morning. It is usually a feature of eye infection. It can even occur in new born babies who pick up germs from the mother’s birth canal. This can easily be treated with eye antibiotics.

Dry eyes

This is a feature of a disease known as Sjogrens syndrome, which causes dry eyes and dry mouth. Some people also experience sinus and even vaginal dryness. Dry eyes can also occur in people who work for long hours in front of the computer.

Droopy eyelids

This can be a sign of a disease that affects the nerves and muscles known as ‘myasthenia gravis’. It causes the muscles of the body not to function appropriately. In its most severe form, the muscles that are associated with breathing can fail leading to death.

Other causes of droopy eyelids are brain tumours and aging. Paralysis of one side of the face (known as ‘Bells Palsy’ can cause a droopy eye lid on the affected side). Fortunately, this usually resolves with time.

A deeper look into the eye

The eye is the only place where you can look at a nerve and blood vessels without having to operate (cut the body open). For this reason, eye check-ups are a good way of looking at the effects of diseases on the body. Diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, some genetic disorders and HIV give characteristic changes to the inside of the eye. Even high pressure inside the head can be revealed by an eye check-up.

Ideally, this check-up should be done by an ophthalmologist and not an optician. An ophthalmologist is a doctor who has specialised in the eye and can perform surgery on the eye.

Workaholics beware

People who spend long hours in front of the computer may find themselves getting dry eyes and eye strain. This is a common feature of ‘computer vision syndrome’. This can be remedied by adjusting the lighting set up around your computer to reduce the glare, reducing the periods of time spent in front of the computer daily and adjusting your screen settings appropriately.

Stroke warning signs

Sudden onset blurred vision, temporary dimming or loss of vision with associated weakness on the same side of the body can be a warning sign of an impending stroke.

There may also be brief loss of co-ordination, numbness and slurred speech. Usually the symptoms are short-lived and will resolve completely within a few minutes but they should never be taken for granted. Visit your doctor after the first episode.